The following 21 bands participated in the 119th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2008. Enjoy the photos and trivia.
Photos by Eric Sullano
Traveling six miles to 6,000 miles, bands as close as Arcadia, Calif., and as far as Hyogo, Japan, participated in the 119th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. With its international theme, “Passport to the World’s Celebrations,” this year’s tournament brought together cultural displays and unique sounds—including conga drums and bagpipes—by groups from Japan, Switzerland, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United States. Of course, bands from the University of Southern California and University of Illinois entertained spectators as well.
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Akashikita High School Green Band from Hyogo, Japan Trivia: The band was named “Green” due to its regular participation in charity concerts to combat global warming. |
All-Kamehameha Schools from Honolulu, Hawaii Trivia: Performed at President Clinton’s Inaugural Parade in 1993. |
Aracadia (Calif.) High School Apache Marching Band Trivia: The band has more than 400 members including more than 50 flutists. |
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Banda Escolar de Guayanilla (Puerto Rico) Trivia: Performed its first-ever field show a few days before the parade during Bandfest. |
Burlington (Canada) Teen Tour Band Trivia: Canada’s largest and oldest youth marching band. |
Lakota West Marching Firebirds from West Chester, Ohio Trivia: Has been crowned grand champion at 25 competitions. |
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Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band Trivia: With 357 students, the band consists of only brass and percussion instrumentation. |
Missouri State University Pride Marching Band from Springfield, Mo. Trivia: Has performed at many famous parades, including the New Year’s Day Parade in London and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. |
Nacogdoches (Texas) High School Band Trivia: Performed for the first time in the Rose Parade and uses a military marching style. |
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Needham B. Broughton High School Band Trivia: Marched for the first time in the Rose Parade. |
Niceville (Fla.) High School Eagle Pride Marching Band Trivia: Received first place in the Class A division at the 2004 Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship. |
Nuestros Angeles De El Salvador from San Salvador, El Salvador Trivia: After Visa issues and a funding shortage, the band traveled five days via bus to perform in the Rose Parade. |
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Pasadena (Calif.) City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band Trivia: The 250-member band includes Pasadena City College students and more than 90 high school musicians. |
Pride of the Dakotas from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Trivia: Director James McKinney performed in the 1968 Rose Parade as a student. |
The Salvation Army Band from Los Angeles Trivia: Has been marching in the Rose Parade since 1920, making 2008 its 88th consecutive year—longer than any other band. |
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Tiger Marching Band from Alexis I. duPont High School in Greenville, Dele. Trivia: One out of every four students in the high school participates in the marching band and 80% of the members are varsity athletes. |
United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band from San Diego County, Calif. Trivia: Comprised of four Marine Corps Bands from California, the group has marched in more than 30 Rose Parades. |
University of Illinois Fighting Illini from Urbana-Champaign Trivia: The group had not performed at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game since 1984. |
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University of Southern California “Spirit of Troy” Trojan Marching Band Trivia: Has performed at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game 32 times. |
Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band and Pipe Band from Lexington, Va. Trivia: Practices only 50 minutes per week. |
Zurich City Police Band from Nurensdorf, Switzerland Trivia: Serves as musical ambassadors for the city of Zurich and for Switzerland itself. |
